Homeschooled or traditionally schooled, most high school students have one thing in common: their dislike of the college entrance exams. To strong test-takers, they may simply be an inevitable annoyance; to others, they seem to have the power to permanently define one’s higher education path and perhaps even a future career. While the reality is rarely so extreme, homeschooled students need to be aware of how to approach these tests, since college admissions staff often place more emphasis on tests and less on homeschool-generated transcripts.

The Common Application, which has been simplifying college applications since 1975, has rolled out a new version of its application, christened CA4, effective August 2013. Applicants planning to enter college as freshmen or transfer students in the fall of 2014 should be aware of these changes. Homeschooling parents, take note, particularly if you have already worked with the Common App in previous years and are expecting it to be the same. It’s not!

As a homeschooling family, chances are, the biggest question you hear (right after “What about socialization?”) is “How will you prepare your student for college?” Now that our two students are college graduates, I can use the clarity of hindsight to look back on our own journey and highlight the top ten principles that worked for us. Though every family is unique, these basics form a useful foundation for most homeschoolers traversing the college prep path.

Classic writer’s block is that crippling paralysis that strikes when we’re expected to come up with eloquent, edifying words—typically, under a time limit. But a different kind of writer’s block can strike homeschoolers seeking to meet the demands of high school level writing. Clearly, writing skills are vital for college preparation as well as for life, but for some, just trying to get started can bring on that vexatious paralysis. However, with a little forethought and the courage to just “plunge in,” you can successfully teach writing to your teen.

Traditionally schooled students get to walk into a classroom and take a course for which someone has already done the hard work of planning it—but which has the drawback of being “one size fits all.” For homeschoolers, designing courses takes some work and ingenuity. However, with the proper knowledge and perspective, students and parents can work together to come up with a course of study that will be equivalent to (or better than) an honors level course at a traditional school—and that fits the student’s needs and abilities.

Three main steps will start you on your journey: Research Your Requirements, Optimize Your Options, and Customize Your Courses.

Senioritis. Though it may not be listed in your physician’s medical dictionary, it is a real malady that traditional students, parents, schoolteachers, and counselors recognize and even come to expect. In a classic case of senioritis, a student begins to lose focus, motivation, and “drive” for completing work with excellence as graduation approaches. In mild cases, students may simply feel a reduced motivation to finish their work—especially once college acceptances are in and the remainder of high school seems to consist of “going through the motions.” In extreme cases, however, students may actually receive D’s and F’s in their courses.

Homeschooled & Headed for College

"If we homeschool through high school, will our student be able to get into college?"
This question can be answered with a resounding "Yes!" It does take some advance planning and knowledge of the process, though. If you are intimidated by the thought of college applications, Homeschooled & Headed for College: Your Road Map for a Successful Journey is the book for you. It walks you step by step through the process, from the beginning of junior high to the day you say goodbye to your new college student.

This book is a helpful resource for homeschooled students who plan to attend college. Denise's comprehensive treatment of developing a high school program gives parents useful information for designing a rigorous college prep track. Parents will also appreciate Denise's thoroughness as she walks you through all areas of the college application process. Homeschooled & Headed for College has done the research for you and will save you precious time.

- Becky Cooke and Diane KummerHome School Legal Defense Association High School Coordinators

About the Author

Denise Boiko and her husband Ron homeschooled their two children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Now an "empty nester" with two college graduates (one of whom is in medical school), Denise enjoys teaching group classes to local homeschoolers in the subjects of biology, anatomy and physiology, composition, and literature.